Reviews & Features

Our reviews and ‘best of’ articles relating to music, food, art, shopping and more in and around Birmingham.

The Closure of The Rainbow Venues – The Easy Way Out?

It’s late on Halloween and my housemates and I are enjoying a party, oblivious to the tragic event unfurling in the going-out venue of choice for many… Read more »

Food, Drink & Discovery on Birmingham’s Canals

The Birmingham canals have evolved from their role as the beating heart of the industrial revolution to be a charming hub of culture and relaxation for all… Read more »

Best Art Galleries in Birmingham by Elin Kaemmer-Bailey

Best Art Galleries in Birmingham by Elin Kaemmer-Bailey

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (BMAG) first opened in 1885. The gallery, in Chamberlain square, is a very popular landmark in Birmingham…. Read more »

The Best Student Bars in Birmingham

The Best Student Bars in Birmingham

Birmingham is Britain’s second largest student city, with five universities: Aston, Birmingham City, the University of Birmingham, University College Birmingham and Newman University College. Aston (rated 33rd in… Read more »

Wedding Rebels on The March to Brum

Wedding Rebels on The March to Brum

Rebel brides and grooms from across the UK are heading to Birmingham’s Eclectic Wedding Extravaganza 2018 show this March to defy tradition, decline the ordinary and push their personalities… Read more »

The Best Wine Bars in Birmingham

The Best Wine Bars in Birmingham

With the growing number of cocktail bars and ale drinking establishments, it may be easy to overlook some of the plush wine bars in Birmingham. This list… Read more »

Mr Jerk serves up a Jamaican BBQ on Don’t Tell the Bride

Mr Jerk serves up a Jamaican BBQ on Don’t Tell the Bride

Birmingham Street Food Trader Mr Jerk serves up a Jamaican BBQ for Black Country Couple on Don’t Tell the Bride Adrenaline junkie Mark wanted to fly high… Read more »

Rhiannon Simpson’s Top 6 value for money eats in Birmingham!

Rhiannon Simpson’s Top 6 value for money eats in Birmingham!

The season of twinkly lights and Christmas do’s is over, indulgence on all levels has occurred and you are looking to dine but not dent the bank!… Read more »

Best Restaurants with vegetarian options in Brum’s China Quarter

Being a foodie with dietary requirements, on some occasions, can; be a bane of one’s social life. However, the China Quarter in Birmingham is a food haven… Read more »

The Best Spas in Birmingham

With the constant stresses of Christmas shopping and temperatures plummeting daily, winter can often seem an altogether long and dreary season. To combat the winter blues, Grapevine… Read more »

A Guide to Birmingham’s Best Theatres

A Guide to Birmingham’s Best Theatres

One of the most exciting elements of Britain’s second city is its growing theatre scene, providing an impressive depth and variety: from musicals and opera to innovative… Read more »

Low N Slow’s El Borracho Kitchen Takeover review

Low N Slow’s El Borracho Kitchen Takeover review

Part two of my Sunday pop-up tour, took me to the exquisite surroundings of Emma-Louise Yufera’s ‘El Borracho de Oro, Tapas and Wine Bar’ in Edgbaston. The… Read more »

Eat Vietnam pop up at The Plough review

Eat Vietnam pop up at The Plough review

The Plough Harborne, is one of Birmingham’s huge success stories. Always ahead of the game, Adam Johnson (formerly of Global Grooves Records, 52 Degrees North and Circo… Read more »

Hooked on Hookways Healthy Lunch Options In The Heart Of Brum

Hooked on Hookways Healthy Lunch Options In The Heart Of Brum

Last week I was lucky enough to be invited to try some of the delicious, freshly made food on offer at Hookways; an independent, healthy food-haven, tucked… Read more »

Jordan Mackampa at The Sunflower Lounge review

Jordan Mackampa at The Sunflower Lounge review

On Sunday 3rd December 2017, Jordan Mackampa performed an intimate gig at the Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham as part of a national tour. We were invited to attend… Read more »

Theatre review 101 Dalmatians at The REP

On Tuesday evening I headed to The REP for another press night, this time it was Debbie Isitt’s stage adaptation of Dodie Smith’s 101 Dalmatians, directed by… Read more »

Tyler Bryant Live at The Castle & Falcon review

Tyler Bryant Live at The Castle & Falcon review

My Saturday nights are usually set aside for catching up with friends, possibly a city centre bar, or just a hot cocoa and an early night, however,… Read more »

The Grind Live review by Ieva Staveckaite

When Winter nights seem cold and uninviting, warmth and refuge can be found at the very top floor of the Hare and Hounds pub situated in King’s… Read more »

The Prince of Nothingwood at The Electric Cinema review

I was invited to review The Prince of Nothingwood, which was recently screened at The Electric Cinema, Birmingham. I’ve watched a fair few movies at The Electric…. Read more »

Miss Moneypenny’s at Symphony Hall review by Lisa Evans

Miss Moneypenny’s at Symphony Hall review by Lisa Evans

Last Friday, The Birmingham Symphony Hall, the most acoustically perfect venue in the UK, and amongst the top five in the world, was the prestigious setting of… Read more »

Tom Speight at The Sunflower Lounge by Sophie Bremner

On a windy, wintry evening in Birmingham, The Sunflower Lounge welcomed KIOL and Tom Speight to the stage for an intimate and memorable performance. Alessandro Bossi, the… Read more »

Bottomless Brunch at Lost & Found Review

Bottomless Brunch at Lost & Found Review

Nestled deep in the heart of the city, Victorian hideaway, The Lost & Found launches an enticing new Bottomless Brunch menu, brimming with Bloody Mary’s, Bellinis and show-stopping, sumptuous… Read more »

Medea Written in Rage review by Charlotte Burholt

Medea, Written in Rage is unrelenting in its formation of the alarming and disconcerting. A sustained sense of unease is what proves it to be so thought-provoking;… Read more »

Be At One Mixes It Up With VIP Event!

Birmingham has long been known as a bustling, lively city, boasting some of the best nightlife in the UK. This week, cocktail bar Be At One in Piccadilly Arcade,… Read more »

Bitters n’ Twisted Venues Support Acorns Hospice with Acorns Friday 

As we all know, November 24th is “Black Friday”, the day the internet and shopping centres go wild for pre-Christmas bargains.  Bitters ‘n Twisted wanted to do… Read more »

Best Places to Book Your Christmas Party in Birmingham!

Christmas is just around the corner, and with so many restaurants and eateries to choose from in Birmingham these days, it can be a headache thinking about… Read more »

The Best DJ Bars and Nightclubs in Birmingham

Birmingham has previously had numerous influential bars that successfully incorporated DJs into their brand, such as The Medicine Bar in Digbeth, Circo and The Yardbird. The right… Read more »

Medicine to launch Artisan Bakery, Cafe & Gallery 12th Nov!

Medicine to launch Artisan Bakery, Cafe & Gallery 12th Nov!

Medicine, a new style of artisan bakery, café and gallery, will open on Birmingham’s prestigious New Street on 12 November 2017. Rooted firmly within its Midlands heritage,… Read more »

The Florida Project review by Charlotte Burholt

Amid a strained existence in a world of poverty, The Florida Project explores the experience of both adults and children living in the shunned outskirts of the… Read more »

Easy Day Trips From Birmingham by Train

Whether you’re a fresher just kickstarting your university adventure, an ardent globetrotter or a fellow local, Birmingham is one of the best gateways for some spectacular, easy… Read more »

Don Diego Restaurante review

Don Diego Restaurante review

Don Diego is a newish Mediterranean restaurant, small, yet perfectly formed. This beautifully appointed dining space, promises a rustic fine dining experience, in the heart of the… Read more »

Funky Lobster review at 1000 Trades

Funky Lobster review at 1000 Trades

After many dormant years, The Jewellery Quarter is beginning to thrive. 1000 Trades pop-up kitchen is at the heart of that burgeoning food & drink scene. With… Read more »

MeMe Detroit releases next new single Ashes to Ashes

The new single | ‘Ashes to Ashes’ | November 2017 Following on from summer release ‘How she runs’, Midlands artist MeMe Detroit releases next new single; ‘Ashes to Ashes’ on November 10th… Read more »

Delightful at The Rep Review by Sally Jones

Delightful, a play about love, betrayal and how people remember is at The Rep as part of their New and Nurtured season until 28 October. Written by… Read more »

Desert Island Discs at 1000 Trades + Steve Bignell Q&A

What is Desert Island Discs On Saturday November 11th from 12pm until 8pm, Chris Bridge and Steve Bignell aka “Our Friends are Eclectic” launch their inaugural “Desert… Read more »

Fumo Now Open in Selfridges Birmingham!

San Carlo Group’s latest venture in the Midlands, Fumo Selfridges Birmingham, is now open. Following a lavish £1million redevelopment, including the arrival of a stunning feature marble… Read more »

Dine with brand new Fressh Vegan Eatery for Free!

A new Vegan Eatery is offering a tasty giveaway to celebrate their opening in Birmingham city centre on Saturday 21st October 2017. Four lucky winners will receive a… Read more »

Grapevine Brum moves to Cool Highrise Office Space!

Grapevine Brum moves to Cool Highrise Office Space!

Grapevine Birmingham (London, Manchester & Worcestershire) have moved into a prestigious new collaborative office space high above Birmingham City Centre. Alpha Works recently opened across two floors… Read more »

The Alchemist Birthday review by Ollie Lloyd

The Alchemist Birthday review by Ollie Lloyd

If Alchemy is a seemingly magical process of transformation, creation or combination then The Alchemist have truly embedded this philosophy into creating a wonderfully unique environment in… Read more »

The Plough Launches Fab Cocktail List with a Twist!

The Plough in Harborne has launched a cocktail list in collaboration with Robert Wood, one of the best bartenders in the UK. Taking in seven carefully curated… Read more »

I Knew You at The Rep review by Sally Jones

I Knew You at The Rep review by Sally Jones

As part of the New and Nurtured season at The Rep, I Knew You, written by local spoken word artist Steven Camden, aka Polarbear, and directed by… Read more »

Dine with Michelin starred Tom Aikens and the Lake District Farmers

Highly acclaimed award-winning chef Tom Aikens will be joining forces with his meat suppliers, Lake District Famers, next month (October) to create an exclusive menu for his… Read more »

Dinner for Two at The Stable by Izzy Owen

After what seemed like a particularly long and tiring week, my friend Alice and I were feeling more than ready to indulge in delicious pizza and cider… Read more »

Cocktail Masterclass as Be At One gets Bigger!

Cocktail Masterclass as Be At One gets Bigger!

Be At One, a cocktail institute that has been bringing a lively party atmosphere to Birmingham since May last year, is preparing to be even bigger and… Read more »

Film Birmingham is bringing Brum to the Silver Screen!

Last week marks the cinema release of Kingsman: The Golden Circle from director Matthew Vaughn and starring Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Taron Egerton, Mark Strong, Halle Berry, Channing Tatum… Read more »

Birmingham’s Best Cocktail Bars & Their Signature Cocktails

It’s more than fair to say that in the last few years drinking cocktails has become one of our favourite pastimes. As a result of a surge… Read more »

Pasta Di Piazza invites corporates to Biggest Business Lunch

One of the city’s longest running restaurants has announced it is set to host Birmingham’s Biggest Business lunch, this week. The Jewellery Quarter’s Pasta Di Piazza, one… Read more »

Student Discounts at Grand Central Today.. Register Here!

On Thursday, 12 October students of Birmingham will be able to enjoy splurging out on their favourite brands at discount prices as Grand Central joins the Bullring… Read more »

Digbeth Oktoberfest returns for its third year!

Digbeth Oktoberfest returns for its third year!

The Old Crown in Digbeth is getting ready to hold it’s third Oktoberfest on the 29th and 30th Sept and 6th and 7th October. Tickets available at… Read more »

Jane Eyre at The REP review by Isobel Owen

Jane Eyre at The REP review by Isobel Owen

Arriving just before the play started at 7pm, I was excited to see so many faces filling up the tiered seating at the Rep on Monday night…. Read more »